The CPI is the premier LGBTQ national benchmarking tool for colleges and universities to create safer, more inclusive campuses.<\/p>\n
Rutgers University received a perfect 50 checkmarks, while Rochester, the University of Texas\u2013Dallas, and the University of North Florida received 49. Most of the categories focused on Rochester\u2019s River Campus, but some were University-wide.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re excited that students searching for inclusive institutions will find us near the top of the list,\u201d says Col Raimond<\/a>, director of LGBTQ life at the College. \u201cThe University has been steadfast in its dedication to LGBTQ inclusivity. Over my six years here, I\u2019ve seen significant and meaningful changes to both infrastructure and the student life experience.\u201d<\/p>\n The Campus Pride Index is a vital tool for assisting campuses in improving LGBTQ campus life and making the educational experience more inclusive and respectful of LGBTQ. The index is owned and operated by Campus Pride, the leading national nonprofit organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create safer, LGBTQ-friendly environments at colleges and universities.<\/p>\n The index tool has been used since 2001 and was updated with higher LGBTQ national benchmarks in 2015.<\/p>\n Rochester scored five stars for the LGBTQ community in the areas of support and institutional commitment, academic life, housing and residence life, campus safety, and counseling and health.<\/p>\n “Campus Pride applauds the work of the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ to achieve five out of five stars on the Campus Pride Index,\u201d says Shane Mendez Windmeyer, CEO and founder of Campus Pride. \u201cWe honor its accomplishment and encourage every campus to continue taking responsibility for its LGBTQ+ students and creating a safe learning environment.”<\/p>\n Rochester\u2019s improvements are widespread:<\/p>\n Other programs, policies, and practices at Rochester also contributed to the Campus Pride Index rating. For example, about 825 students\u2014roughly 12.2 percent of undergraduates at Rochester\u2014are involved in fraternities and sororities, according to John DiSarro, director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs<\/a>. Two such organizations\u2014Lambda Sigma Upsilon and Sigma Psi Zeta\u2014are inclusive of non-binary students while several are considered trans-friendly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"Campus](\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/inline-campus-pride-index-lgbtq-inclusivity_1100px-630x630.jpg\")
Each campus page on the Campus Pride Index offers an \u201cLGBTQ-friendly report card,\u201d offering 50 areas in which a college or university can receive a checkmark for inclusivity. Rochester checked 49 boxes<\/a>\u2014more than any other institution on the Consortium on Financing Higher Education<\/a> (COFHE) or the Association of American Universities<\/a> (AAU), and the second most among 259 colleges and universities reviewed.<\/p>\nInclusive programs, policies, and practices<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n